Press Release: Phoenix Dance Theatre 40 Years of Phoenix

Jan McNulty · March 12, 2022

PHOENIX DANCE THEATRE RETURNS TO THE PEACOCK THEATRE TO MARK 40 YEARS

Photo: Company Dancer Shawn Willis. Image by Richard Moran & SPLIT.

Internationally acclaimed, Leeds-based Phoenix Dance Theatre is set to return to the Peacock Theatre this month on 29 and 30 March.

To celebrate the company’s milestone 40th birthday Phoenix Dance Theatre is bringing together an eclectic selection of work from across its illustrious history. 40 Years of Phoenix features works by internationally acclaimed and award-winning choreographers, including former Artistic Directors and collaborators.

Phoenix Dance Theatre are performing as part Well Seasoned, Sadler’s Wells’ celebration of work by Black dance artists.

Phoenix Artistic Director Dane Hurst said: “Phoenix Dance Theatre returning to London to perform at Sadler’s Wells as part of its ‘Well Seasoned’ programme in celebration of Black Dance is a fitting and poignant moment in the history of the Company. Founded by three Black male teenagers from Leeds in 1981, with their first professional performance taking place in 1982 for a total payment of £10, there is cause for much celebration as the Company still stands, against the odds, after 40 years in the industry.

The ‘40 Years of Phoenix’ programme encapsulates the depth, breadth, and complexity of dance in five key works within the repertoire of the Company that is a distillation of the energy, exuberance, and spirit of Phoenix through the decades. In honour of 40 years since Phoenix’s founding, we’re excited to bring back these iconic pieces, each of which has a unique place in the Company’s history.”

The first half of the programme opens with the powerful and intense ‘Signal’ by Henri Oguike, set to a thumping Taiko drumming score, followed by ‘Harmonica Breakdown’, a solo by Jane Dudley set to blues music by Sonny Terry. Closing the half is a satirical and poignant ensemble work – ‘Family’ by American choreographic duo Shapiro & Smith.

The second half opens with a compelling and theatrical duet ‘Pave Up Paradise’ inspired by the story of Adam and Eve and set to live music played by Andrew ‘DREUW’ Burke and created by the award-winning team Ben Duke and Raquel Meseguer of ‘Lost Dog’.

The evening closes with the newly re-created, cinematic ‘Heart of Chaos’ inspired by the story of World Heavyweight Boxing champion Jack Johnson. The work is set to a pulsating Jazz score by Wynton Marsalis and created by ex-Phoenix Director, Darshan Singh Bhuller.

Artistic Director Dane Hurst added: “The programme is an exciting overview and collection of works in celebration of Phoenix Dance Theatre’s achievement in dance through the decades and it is a great privilege to be celebrating Black Dance as part of this ‘Well Seasoned’ programme.”

Phoenix Dance Theatre first performed at the Peacock Theatre in April 2019 with Sharon Watson MBE’s Windrush: Movement of the People to sold out auditoriums and marked the Company becoming a Sadler’s Wells National Partner Company.

40 Years of Phoenix
Peacock Theatre
29 – 30 March 2022
Box Office: 020 7863 8000

Booking link: Phoenix Dance Theatre - 40 Years of Phoenix - Peacock Theatre - Sadler's Wells (sadlerswells.com)

NOTES TO EDITORS:

COMPANY HISTORY
Phoenix Dance Theatre: Founded in 1981 by three black British men from Harehills, Leeds, Phoenix Dance Theatre is one of the UK’s leading contemporary dance companies. Over four decades the Company has grown to be internationally respected for their artistic programmes which encapsulate the diverse spirit of multicultural Britain. It is currently led under the Artistic Directorship of Dane Hurst, who took up the role in January 2021 and is the Company’s eighth Artistic Director. Each year the Company embarks on national tours presenting critically acclaimed dance productions to audiences throughout the UK and further – reaching up to 20,000 people and engaging with up to 6,500 people through the Company’s extensive education provision.

Phoenix Dance Theatre is the longest-standing contemporary dance company outside London and one of few mid-scale contemporary dance companies to employ a permanent company of professional dancers. Phoenix Dance Theatre’s aim is to create dynamic, diverse and relevant work that embodies the Company’s rich Caribbean history and shines a light on cultural narratives which are often overlooked or untold.

Rooted in Nadine Senior OBE’s principles of providing the highest quality, accessible dance provisions, the Company’s Access & Education department is celebrated for inspiring and empowering people through the medium of contemporary dance. They are committed to providing opportunities for all through provisions which range from regular weekly classes as part of their Saturday School and Illuminate Dance programmes, prevocational training in the Youth Academies based in Leeds, Gateshead and York – to bespoke schools’ packages working on Cross-Curricular or performance led projects.

Phoenix Dance Theatre’s presence both on and off the stage continues to develop and establish diverse new audiences for contemporary dance.

40 YEARS OF PHOENIX – REMAINING 2022 UK TOUR DATES

8 – 9 March The Curve, Leicester 0116 242 3595

www.curveonline.co.uk

12 March Birmingham Rep 0121 236 4455

www.birmingham-rep.co.uk

15 – 16 March Exeter Northcott Theatre 01392 72 63 63

www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

29 – 30 March Peacock Theatre, Sadler’s Wells 020 7863 8000

www.sadlerswells.com

7 April Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield 01484 430528

www.thelbt.org